Integrated Impacts of Contaminants and Flow on Riverine Ecosystem Production

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Integrated Impacts of Contaminants and Flow on Riverine Ecosystem Production. [Online] (Updated August 6th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3675 [Accessed Tuesday 26th of April 2011 06:56:11 PM ].

This project identified key sources and sinks of nutrients, sediment and salts; their interactions with in-stream primary production and flow regime to effect ecosystem production in the Murrumbidgee river.

Environmental flows are assuming a central role in the sustainable management of Australian rivers, however, they are now being implemented in a landscape which has been highly modified. Many rivers also contain highly modified sources and concentrations of natural contaminants such as nutrients, salt and sediment. Such changes have a significant effect on riverine biogeochemical cycles, leading to changes in in-stream processes, and food chain structure and function. Quantifying the interactions between contaminants, ecological processes and flow regime is crucial in developing an effective model for restoring managed riverine ecosystems.

Principal investigators were Sue Vink and Darren Ryder from the University of New England.